Tablets drive three times more mobile data traffic, and 160 per cent more mobile web usage per session than smartphones, according to the latest quarterly mobile analytics report from Bytemobile.

The figures illustrate the potential impact of tablet usage on operator networks, as adoption by both consumers and business users accelerates. Forrester Research estimates that one third of US adults will own a tablet by 2016, with penetration reaching 112m.

The report also highlights how faster networks can drive increased revenues, as users immediately begin consuming higher-quality video content. On average, a network with a bit rate of 300Kbps delivers 74 per cent of requested videos at 240p resolution. A network with a bit rate of 600Kbps delivers 66 per cent of requested videos at 380p and 480p resolution.

The report also reveals that the majority of videos traversing mobile networks are requested by multiple subscribers. On average, over 50 per cent of all videos are requested and served multiple times. Approximately 16 per cent of videos are requested more than 100 times over the same mobile network. During peak traffic periods, repeat requests for videos increase from 31 per cent to 50 per cent. This data, says Bytemobile, points to the potential value that caching solutions can deliver to subscriber Quality of Experience by improving network efficiency in processing video traffic.

“Our latest Mobile Analytics Report further validates the need for mobile network operators to take a proactive approach to measuring and managing escalating data traffic,” sasy Bytemobile COO, Chris Koopmans. “This particular report highlights the repetitive nature of video streaming – with over 50 per cent of video requests during peak hours being repeat requests for the same videos. Our data demonstrates the advantages of optimisation techniques such as proactively caching popular videos within the network, which enables operators to stay ahead of subscriber demand and deliver a superior user experience to all customers.”

The findings in the Mobile Analytics Report are generated from Mobile Analytics, Bytemobiles mobile data traffic reporting solution. The report anonymously sources data traffic statistics from the 3G and 4G networks of Bytemobiles global Tier-1 customer base and provides insight into the current state of the mobile ecosystem.

Bytemobile Smart Capacity platforms are designed to enable mobile operators to deliver the best possible experience to their subscribers under all network conditions and to differentiate their services based on subscriber usage. The companys solutions have been deployed in the mobile networks of more than 130 operators worldwide to manage escalating demand for capacity due to video and other rich multimedia content and applications.